Adams, Estherline D.

June 20, 2006

Estherline Dutton Adams, 90, of Portales died Monday, June 5, 2006, at her home.

She was born July 11, 1915, to Dena and P.E. Dutton in Burkburnett, Texas. Shortly after graduating from Burkburnett High School, she moved to Portales. She attended Eastern New Mexico University, West Texas Teacher’s College in Canyon, Texas, Texas Tech University in Lubbock and Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M. During summers, she attended classes at the University of Arkansas. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from ENMU. On Dec. 21, 1940, she married John E. Adams in Floyd, where they made their home until 1945. She began her 33-year teaching career in Floyd. They moved to Prairie Grove, Ark., where she continued to teach for several more years. In 1956, they returned to Portales, where she taught until she retired in 1979.

She was a member of the Floyd Methodist Church and Bethel Homemakers Club.

She enjoyed genealogy and crafts, and had a bell collection, her family said.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Orin, Olan, Derald and Gerald Dutton; a sister, Ola Watson; and her husband on May 20, 1995.

She is survived by a son, Jimmy Ed Adams of Portales; a daughter, Carolyn Sue Tederick (and husband, Edward) of Roswell; a granddaughter, Brenda Sue Searcy (Troy) of Roswell; and three great-grandchildren, Candace, Cody and Joshua Searcy of Roswell; two sisters, Gene Dutton of Fullerton, Calif., and Betty Dutton of Conroe, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.